Posted by Bill Kopper on Oct 25, 2019
 
 
Weekly News & Views by: Gretchen Peralta
Photos by Jim Belenis
 
Bluster, bustle and breakfast.  It must be Friday and our Davis Sunrise Rotary meeting!  Add a bunch of high school kids and parents and it must be Student of the Month.  We “greeted” them with our rendition of Smile and God Bless America.
             
President Tim took a few minutes to get the noisy crowd under control (he needed to turn up our sound) and yet not to be deterred, he gave a brief introduction about Rotary, our many local projects, and goal to eradicate Polio.
                                                                                                      
 
 
Not to miss a beat Nancy Storm stepped to the mic to give a warm welcome to the four high schools represented; Da Vinci, Davis Independent Studies, Martin Luther King and Davis High.  Each school represents the excellent academic diversity available to our students.  Nancy also gave a brief overview of Rotary calling attention to the Four Way Test and Service Above Self motto which we strive to apply to our daily lives.  She included a brief list of our local service projects relating to our fragile seniors, the merry-go-round in Central Park, the Shelter Boxes, and  disaster relief, among just a very few.  Of course, one of our greatest contributions is working with the high schools to recognize those students who are striving to improve themselves and their school and to make a contribution to society.  After an introduction by the principal of each school, the faculty members then awed us by introducing their students and highlighting the students’ individual personal, social and academic growth and achievements.  The faculty reassured them and their proud parents, that they are capable of expanding their skills as they move along in their life and contribute to the building of our community’s future.  This program certainly has grown since past member Susan Hawkins created it in 2003-04!  Thanks for keeping it alive and thriving Nancy.
President Tim then announced our upcoming 25th Club Anniversary…..November 10, 1994.  For the first 3 years or so, the Club members gathered at Sudwerk’s for the meetings.  Not surprising.  In memory of our auspicious founding we will have a club social at Sudwerks Friday at 5pm for no-host beer and tacos.  Please join us.  We will be entertained by some members who will stroll down memory lane and disclose stories probably better left to history.                                                            
Looking at our history, the order of the Asterisks (Past Presidents), of which we still have 19 floating around, have ponied up $25k for our Club’s Foundation and are challenging the Club to match as they can.  The goal is to raise sufficient funds over the next few years that we can expand and finance our projects from an endowment.                        
Roger Gambatese from the Noon Rotary Club invited us to join them at a Bocce Tournament at the Cannery Bocce Courts on Saturday, November 16th.  Registration at 0830 is open to all local Rotary Clubs, friends and families.  Entrance fee is $100 donation to the Rotary Foundation.  Payment follows “Is it the Truth” as you can give through our Club or online.
President Tim finally managed to get around to introducing guests and our guest today was none other than Krysten Cholewinski the Co-Director of Produce Ops at Nugget Market.                                            
Speaking of Foundation, our own Larry Greene gave a dynamic, expedient overview of the Rotary Foundation  (See Club 10 Minute Master Copy.pdf) or ask this Reporter or Larry to send it to you directly.  Some questioned as to why give to both Foundations.  It’s a personal choice.  Rotary Foundation and our Club Foundations both finance our projects.  If in doubt, divide and give a bit to each. 
With constraints on the limited time, Sergeant of the Day, Dennis boldly stood and quickly extracted NO less than $20 Happy Bucks from Nancy Storm for her 20 year Anniversary; Greg Arz whose 1st born son is getting married,  and Bill Kopper who had the money taking out of  his wallet in Paris by  gypsy pick-pockets.                                                                  
Past President Rick Stromberg coordinated the Draw of the Day.  Although Irena drew for a Free Breakfast, seems Past President Dave Heard hasn’t done very good mentoring in the card draw process.  Rick will need some remedial training!
See You Friday morning and again at 5 pm on Friday at Sudwerks!